![]() It doesn't match the performance of Sprint-branded handsets. Even so, the phone performed on par with other Boost phones I've tested over the course of the last year. Moreover, the Stylo 3 supports 2 by 20 MHz carrier aggregation, which should translate to good data speeds. Signalīoost Mobile operates on Sprint's LTE network and the Stylo 3 supports all of Sprint's major LTE bands. Last, the display is very reflective, more so than other phones I have on my desk, which makes it hard to see outdoors even when the brightness is set all the way up. Colors are accurate on the LCD panel, but viewing angles aren't great. It would have been nice to see LG upgrade the phone to full HD, but I understand that would have added significantly to the phone's cost. It qualifies as HD, but the large size means those pixels are spread out. The display is a direct carry-over from last year's model, which means the Stylo 3 has a 5.7-inch LCD screen with 1280 by 720 pixels. It won't be winning any design awards, and yet most people shopping for phones in this price range will be happy with their handset. In sum, LG put together a solid piece of hardware in the Stylo 3. ![]() You can swap memory cards without removing the battery, but the battery has to go if you want to get at the SIM card. With the panel removed, you have full access to the battery and SIM/memory card slots. The plastic panel harkens back to the LG of old, meaning it's thin and doesn't inspire much confidence. A notch on the left edge of the phone gives your fingernail the leverage it needs to pry off the plastic. LG knows some people still care about removable batteries, and so the Stylo 3 has a removable rear cover and removable battery. The button doubles as a fingerprint reader, which is a nice upgrade from the Stylo 2. The lock button itself is indented a bit, which makes it easy to find by feel. An LED flash is tucked in between the camera and the screen lock button. The camera has a large round lens that protrudes a bit. The camera module and screen lock button are packaged together in a long oval near the top of the Stylo 3's rear panel. Seriously, LG should have given the plastic an oleophobic coating because it gets grimy and gross right quick. It spruces up the phone's appearance a bit - when it's not covered in finger oil. I like the faux brushed metal look of the rear panel. Most importantly, it interacts with the screen perfectly. The length helps a lot, as styli that are shorter than about 3.5 inches are just too small. The stylus is 4.15 inches long and mostly a round metal stick. The phone vibrates every time you pull the stylus out, a feature designed to help prevent you from losing it. The phone's software is smart enough to know when you've removed or replaced the stylus. It slips out quite easily once you've cleared it of the small catch. A thin notch allows your thumbnail to find the stylus and extract it. The stylus forms the upper right corner of the Stylo 3's outer edge. You'll find the microUSB port and the 3.5mm headphone jack on the bottom. It works, but the feel is decidedly below-average. The toggle is a very thin strip of plastic and I found it cheap and unsatisfying in terms of feel and action. The company continues to shift away from the rear-mounted controls it used on phones for several years, and the Stylo 3 is the latest to make that change. LG moved the volume toggle from the back panel to the left edge. There are no buttons, as LG prefers on-screen controls for the Android operating system. As per the norm for LG handsets, the logo is painted in chrome below the screen. Because it's black, few of the functional elements stand out. The seams are tight all around and I didn't see any gaps between the various parts, panels, and pieces.Ī massive piece of glass forms the Stylo 3's face. The phone comes across like the mid-range handset it is. The glass covering the display feels good, but the plastic along the side edges and rear surface are not the best. LG selected okay materials for the Stylo 3, though it's obviously no flagship. The phone is slim enough that you can fit it into most pockets, but you'll know it's there as you move around. Of course, using the stylus necessitates two hands unless you place the phone on a desk or table. Aside from being slightly heavier, the Stylo 3 is essentially the same in terms of size and usability as last year's Stylo 2. The phone's 5.7-inch display mandates a rather big footprint, which means the Stylo 3 is tall and wide.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |